Foreign ships threaten to boycott Saudi ports

By ARAB NEWS

DAMMAM: Owners of foreign ships have threatened to boycott Saudi ports and use other Gulf ports if the current crisis in unloading cargo at Dammam’s King Abdul Aziz Port continues unabated.

The ship owners said some ships have had to wait up to three weeks, and in some cases an entire month, to unload cargo, something they say is resulting in huge costs. They, along with shipping agents and businessmen, have called on Minister of Transport Jabara Al-Seraisry, who is also chairman of the General Ports Authority, to intervene and resolve the crisis, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported on Saturday.

The ship owners are blaming companies engaged in unloading sea cargo for the current stalemate. Most companies at the port are facing labor shortage and have been unable to deal with the sudden increase in workload due to the summer and upcoming Ramadan.

Abdullah Al-Hamad, deputy director of the port, has set up a working team to follow up on the situation and resolve the crisis.

“The committee has already held several rounds of talks with ship owners and unloading company representatives. A solution for the problem is expected to be reached shortly,” said one source at the port.

A group of traders and customs clearance offices had recently threatened legal action against Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) for delayed container shipments from Dammam to Riyadh.

They revealed plans to file a complaint with the Court of Grievances seeking compensation from SRO for losses they incurred due to its failure to promptly process containers stuck at Dammam port.

Comments

MOHAMMED

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What is up with all the Saudi Borders and Ports? Everywhere they have such long delays for the transportation of cargo. On the Saudi side of the Saudi-UAE borders it takes weeks for one truck to cross, whereas when the same trucks are going to UAE, the Emirates customs clear the whole cargo in a day. Why such long waits? They always make a team to resolve the crisis but has it ever worked? We still see long lines of trucks.

NOOR MOHAMED

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companies which are responsible to these situation, should take necessary action to provide man power. for this crisis, only stevedorers are responsible. low payment more work leads this crisis. at least they have to take some prior action to avoid further complication.

MEHREEN

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The port delays are a case of poor organization and planning. Free ports deal with many more ships/containers and we don't hear about month-long delays elsewhere. Also, Ramadan/its timing are not a surprise - they should be prepared for the increased volume.

GHULAM MOHAMMAD KHAN

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It saddens me to read & know the pathatic condition of Dammam Sea Port, which at one time was one of the best ports in the world. It is my humble request to all concerned authorities to look in the matter and resolve the subject without any further delay as this is sending worng signals world over. No doubt KSA is developing fast, but this labour problem is there due to these days labour in India, Pakistan & Korea are well paid in their own countries & it is very difficult to find cheap trained labour. The contractors do not want to shed their profit resulting in the present situation. Trust the Port Authorities of KSA will overcome this ASAP. Best Regards G.M. Khan

MUSHTAQ

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Saudi Custom seems bizzare at first palce with so much bearucratic & official restriction which makes import export trade almost impractical biz. Secondly lazy Govt. officials with inadequate training & education adds to cross country tranist biz.. Govt should fix this problem to facilitate trade.
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